The Young and The Restless' Bryton James Look Back at His Audition

Recently, Bryton James marked his 15th anniversary on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS. “I remember the day I auditioned, I had Y&R and a Coca-Cola commercial. I really wanted the commercial, because I knew it paid a lot,” he said to Soaps In Depth with a laugh. “And I didn’t think in a million years that I’d ever get a soap!

“I was 17 and was like, ‘Why am I even here?’” he continued. “But in the middle of the audition, [former casting director] Marnie Saitta said, ‘Finally, somebody is reading this character the way he should be read!’ That gave me a lot of confidence.”

James’ first impression of Braeden has lasted. (Photo Credit: Jim Warren)

On his first day, James had five scenes with none other than Eric Braeden (Victor). “Between rehearsal and filming, he would say his lines very different every time!” recalled the Emmy winner. “He taught me the most important lesson as an actor that first day — which is to listen! You have to know what the scene is about, what your next line is about so you can reshape it. That makes the best scene — it’s organic and new every time, like a real conversation. He was fantastic! I remember that like it was yesterday!”

This story originally appeared in our print magazine

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